Patients at Lautoka and Ba Hospitals will no longer receive their medication from hospital pharmacies starting today. The Health Ministry has not provided a reason for this significant change in healthcare access for Fijian citizens and residents. This shift impacts how outpatient department patients, including those seen at the Special Outpatient clinic, emergency Department, and General Outpatient Department, will obtain their prescribed medicines.

Lautoka and Ba Hospitals,managed by Health Care Fiji Limited,a joint venture between FNPF and Aspen Medical,have been allocated $117 million in the 2025/2026 National Budget.This allocation highlights the government’s investment in these facilities, making the new dispensing procedures a point of interest for many.

New Dispensing Locations Announced

Fijian outpatient department patients from Ba Hospital who have been seen at the Special Outpatient Clinic, Emergency Department, and General Outpatient Department will now obtain their discharge medications from a mobile dispensary. This dispensary is conveniently stationed at Ba Hospital itself.

Similarly,patients from Lautoka Hospital who have received care at the Special Outpatient Clinic and the Emergency Department will now collect their discharge medications. These will be available from the Lautoka Health Clinic, located at Vidilo House.

Alternative Access Points for Medications

The Ministry of Health has also indicated that outpatient department patients from both Lautoka and Ba Hospitals have further options for obtaining their medicines. They can visit other Government health centres and hospitals situated within the Western division.

An alternative for patients registered under the Government’s Free Medicine Process is also available. These individuals can collect their free medicine from private pharmacies that are participating in the Government’s Free medicine programme.

Questions have been sent to the Ministry of Health and Health Care Fiji seeking further clarification on these new procedures and the rationale behind them.